Meaders Ozarow, along with her husband Robert Ozarow, own and operate the European-style natural bread supplier, Empire Baking Company. With headquarters and a wholesale shop located in the UCPID, they are known near and far for their baked goods that grace most of the restaurant tables in the city, as well as their storefront in Inwood Village.
When did you move the Empire Baking Company corporate office and wholesale store to its 5614 East University locale:
We moved into the district 11 years ago.
How has the neighborhood changed since you opened in your current space:
The neighborhood has changed tremendously and has evolved so much over the last 11 years. SMU has taken a presence in the neighborhood, which has energized the area, and there has been apartment development and lots of new restaurants. Central Market's opening has brought traffic across Central and into the area. Mockingbird Station has also been a great retail destination with such nice energy, and a major DART station adding easy access. The Bush Library has been a recent newcomer, and even though it is not in the district, its proximity has added excitement. Most recently, when Starbucks added a store, it confirmed that the area is growing and exciting.
Favorite place to dine in the UCPID:
I am a big Rusty Taco fan. I order two #6 Rajas Tacos and sometimes the #7 Fish Taco; also chips and queso. I love the design of the restaurant and the outdoor patio.
Favorite business you frequent in the UCPID:
I frequent Park Cities Obedience School, where I acquired our rescue dog, Abbi. She attends doggie day care there, and I occasionally board her there when I'm out of town. I also like Union Coffee up the street on Dyer - it's my gourmet coffee stop. In the afternoon, I am a Coke Zero addict, so I head over to the 7-11 (I love 7-11!).
A charity that you consistently support:
I drive a route for VNA's Meals on Wheels because feeding seniors and allowing them to age with dignity is important. We donate our Wednesday leftover bread to the Vickery Meadow Food Bank because that is the area serving one of our city's most vulnerable populations. We also support the North Texas Food Bank and have a table at the Empty Bowls fundraiser. We are so blessed to provide bread for some of the finest restaurants in town; but on the other side, there are people in this wonderful city that are food insecure and need our help.